Disposable plastic slipper

ABSTRACT

A slide-on or step-in slipper or sandal of the disposable type to be formed from a flat blank, preferably of foamed polyethylene sheet material, having a sole member with flat toe, heel and instep portions and a pair of opposed arch embracing strap members extending from the sides of the instep. The inner edges of the straps are foldably connected to the instep only at front and rear portions thereof, the material of the blank therebetween being severed along elongated arcuate slit lines. Conventional shoe laces join the strap outer edges to form a loop to embrace the foot. The slits provide expandable openings for adjustment of the loop on feet of varying shapes and an efficient slipper form for temporary or extended periods of use. The sole of the blank conforms to the normal curvature of a foot and the straps are laced to overlie either face of the sole for use on the right or left foot.

United States Patent [191 Small DISPOSABLE PLASTIC SLIPPER [76]Inventor: Donald I. Small, 60 Woodward Rd.,

West Springfield, Mass. 01089 [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:326,887

Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson AttorneyAlonzo L. Neal et al.

[ 1 Dec. 4, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A slide-on or step-in slipper or sandalof the disposable type to be formed from a flat blank, preferably offoamed polyethylene sheet material, having a sole member with flat toe,heel and instep portions and a pair of opposed arch embracing strapmembers extending from'the sides of the instep. The inner edges of thestraps are foldably connected to the instep only at front and rearportions thereof, the material of the blank therebetween being severedalong elongated arcuate slit lines. Conventional shoe laces join thestrap outer edges to form a loop to embrace the foot. The slits provideexpandable openings for adjustment of the loop on feet of varying shapesand an efficient slipper form for temporary or extended periods of use.The sole of the blank conforms to the normal curvature of a foot and thestraps are laced to overlie either face of the sole for use on the rightor left foot.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DISPOSABLE PLASTIC SLIIPER BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to disposable slippers of the slide-onor step-in type characterized by a flat sole member without heelengaging means, the clasping means being provided by arch or instepencircling straps foldably extending from the sides of the sole memberto provide an adjustable foot embracing loop.

While useful for many different purposes as temporary footwear, and ingeneral to protect or support the feet, slippers of this type areparticularly advantageous for patient use in hospitals, not only for theobvious reasons of sanitary protection, etc. but also because once aninitial adjustment is made to engage a patients foot in a satisfactorymanner it may be put on or taken off merely by sliding the foot'into orout of engagement with the foot embracing loop.

As will be readily appreciated, disposable slippers have heretofore beenspecifically designed and provided for hospital patient use and are wellknown in the art. Representative prior designs and the nearest prior artknown are exemplified by the disclosures of U.S. Pats. Nos. 1,641,625,2,611,977 and 3,603,006. In the last identified patent, problemsrelating to this type of footwear particularly with respect tosatisfactory operation in retaining the slipper on the foot whilesitting or walking at different paces, in initially making adjustmentsnecessary for properly accommodating a wide variety of foot sizes andshapes, and in minimizing hospital storage and inventory problems, areall set forth at some length. A double pair of straps is thereindisclosed for looping over the foot, a specific notch design beinglocated in the shape of a rearward strap so as to provide retainingaction while flexing the foot. It is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a disposable slipper also formed from a flat blankwhich accomplishes the same general and specific purposes abovementioned in a different manner and which will more easily enable thewearer to obtain a suitable individualized fit on each foot.

Among other specific objects of the present invention are to provide anextremely durable and inexpensive slipper of a disposable characterhaving a relatively long life without deterioration of the material withrespect to flexibility, high resistance to tearing, dimensionalstability, cushioning effect, water resistance, and surfacecharacteristics permitting repeated rinsing for cleaning purposes, aswell as providing excellent insulation from cold floors and anti-staticproperties. In the preferred commercial form of slipper a flat blank cutfrom a sheet of extruded polyethylene foam material is utilized and theinvention is primarily based upon the discovery that a plastic materialof this type may be cut or slit to form elongated expandable openingsbetween front and rear foldably connecting web portions withoutproviding any reinforcement to resist tearing. Such openings permit anadjustable lacing of the straps so as to enable adjacent portions of thewearers foot to be engaged by the edges of the openings and a lightfrictional grip created sufficient to loosely retain the slipper againstinadvertent slippage when lifted off a floor surface, and to exert afirmer grip while walking and the foot is repeatedly flexed and spreadin a manner tending to dislodge a slipper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates providing adisposable slipper in the form of a flat blank having flat toe and heeloutlines and therebetween flat instep portion from the sides of whichextend a pair of foot encircling straps for looping over the soleinstep. The straps are foldably joined to the sole by fore and aftconnecting webs, the material of the blank being severed therebetweenand the line of severance defining the edges of the instep portion ofthe flat sole preferably along arcuate lines commencing at the fore endthereof in offset relation inwardly adjacent a projection of the sidesof the toe portion. By such an inwardly offset relation, the edges ofthe slits provide elongated narrow openings when the straps are foldedover and laced. The openings can be adjustably expanded to more securelyengage the sides of the foot according to individual needs orpreferences. The releasable frictional holding action is comparable tothat of a frictional detent means and can be set in initially lacing thestraps or later making any desired adjustment. Once set a comfortableand serviceable fit is maintained for the desired period of use.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a flat slipper blank according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the blank of FIG. 1 folded and laced foruse on a wearers foot, the lacing being looped through openings in thetoe portion;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with the lacing between the strapsonly and further showing the result of a tighter lacing on the foot thanshown by FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a slipper laced as in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 the flat slipper blank isshown with toe, heel and instep portions of a sole member beingindicated at 2, 4, and 6, respectively. Extending from each side of theinstep 6 are strap members 8. Along'the outer edges of the straps lacingholes 10 are provided and in the toe 2 is a pair of holes 12 spaced inforwardly adjacent relation to the fore end of the instep portion 6.

As will be apparent from FIG. 1 the toe and heel portions andintermediate instep portion are generally disposed to conform to thenatural curvature of a right foot as viewed in FIG. 1. It will also beapparent that the undersurface of the FIG. 1 blank will present inoutline the natural curvature of a left foot. Accordingly, a blank maybe used for either foot and two such blanks, placed back to back, can beeconomically packaged to supply matching pairs of slippers with thelaces being looped through toe openings 12 thereof in opposite manner soas to identify the same for wear on the right or left foot by joiningthe straps to overlie the appropriate face of the blank.

The straps 8 are each foldably joined to the instep portion 6 by foreand aft connecting web portions as at 14 and 16 respectively. Betweenthese foldable connecting areas the material of the blank is severed asby slits 18 out along arcuate lines following the general curvature ofthe foot. As shown the fore ends of the slits 18 lie inwardly adjacentthe rearward projection of the sides of the toe portion 2. The inneredges of the cut slits define the outer edges of the sole instepportion.

As will be appreciated these inner edges in general will more or lessdirectly underlie (see FIG. 4) the edge portions of a wearers insteparound which the straps are laced. The arcuate conformation of the slitsas described not only serves to more snugly and comfortably wrap thestraps over a wearers arch considering the factor of a normal foot shapeand curvature but also, and of equal if not of greater importance, theslits allow an expansion of the slit opening to be available forengaging by its edges the sides of the wearers foot and producing acomfortable frictional gripping or detent means to aid in retaining theslipper on a foot without requiring an excessively tight lacing. Thisexpandable opening along the instep eliminates a common complaintregarding many prior slippers in connection with an inability toproperly retain them on the feet unless repeatedly jammed into place.

The expandability of the opening of the slits 18 may be appreciated froma comparison of the slippers as shown by FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2 thestraps 8 are joined by the lace 20 to more or less lightly encircle thefoot. The edges of the slit 18 are relatively close together, the narrowopening shown resulting from the folding of the strap 8 upwardly andtying the laces without any appreciable degree of tension. In FIG. 3 theopening between the edges of the elongated slit 18 is shown in expandedcondition which occurs as a result of suitably drawing the straps 8together to a greater degree by the lacing. The net effect is somewhatcomparable to that of imparting a degree of elasticity to the loopedstraps. Of further significance, as mentioned above, the inner edge ofthe slit 18 at each side of the foot will in most instances engage thebottom surface of the foot with an added frictional action tending toretain the slipper. The other or outer edges of the slits, depending onthe degree to which the laces may be tightened, will also serve tofrictionally engage the sides of the foot at its normally widest partand likewise prevent slippage. The degree to which the user will wish totighten the lacing will, of course, be a matter of personal preference.Once the individual adjustment is made to the users satisfaction,however, the slipper will slide on and off the foot easily but will beretained under normal conditions of use without inadvertently beingreleased.

For hospital patient use small, medium and large sizes are intended soas to minimize inventory problems. The present design, whilecharacterized by extreme simplicity, is also extremely versatile withrespect to the ease with which individually different feet may be fittedwithin the ranges of a small, medium and large size blank. Therelationship of the sole instep and straps connected thereto as definedby the slits 18 contribute to this result.

In FIGS. 2 and 3 alternative methods of lacing the blank of FIG. 1 intoslipper form as shown. In FIG. 2 the lace 20 between the straps is firstlooped through the toe openings to underlie the sole as at 22. Thismethod enables the slipper to be worn with the laces extending upwardlyfrom loop 22 between the toes and serve as toe retainer thongs. The loop22 also slightly elevates the toe portion 2 and thus assists in keepingthe extreme front edge from the chance of catching on low lying unevenedges in the floor surface. The lacing may be more tightly drawn so asto raise the toe portion 2 to a greater degree if desirable as might bethe case where a hospital patient may be able to walk only by shufflingor sliding the feet.

In FIG. 3 the straps only are joined as may be suitable for a patientnot desiring to have the lace pass between his toes or when socks areworn. In addition FIG. 3 represents the condition where the straps aremore tightly drawn and produce a well-defined opening between the edgesof the slit at 18. As previously referred to this provides a morepositive gripping action at the sides of the feet and thus acts in themanner of detent recesses when the foot is being pocketed in the slipperloop.

As previously mentioned the blank of FIG. 1 is preferably cut fromfoamed polyethylene material extruded in flat sheet form. The particulartype of material is yieldable and relatively soft to the touch, isflexible, and compresses to give a comfortable cushioned support whenwalking. The material is durable, waterresistant and tear-resistant to ahigh degree and will provide serviceability over extended periods ofuse. The preferable sheet thickness is on the order of oneeighth inchwhich imparts a sufficient firm but bendable character desirable inslipper wear to avoid excessive slapping against the heel in walking.The surface of the material has a slip-resistant leather-like feel andthe closed cell formation of the foamed material resists waterpenetration. Where moisture may accumulate by foot perspiration thesurfaces still remain slip-resistant to a high degree.

Being extruded the surface characteristics of the material on both facesof each blank are substantially identical and thus both feet aresupported uniformly with respect to touch, insulating qualities,retention of body warmth, and floor grip. Foamed polyethylene materialof this type is known and commercially available in the plastics tradeas, for example, extruded sheet material as sold by Foam Corporationunder the trade name Monofoam.

What is claimed is:

l. A flat blank of highly tear-resistant sheet material to be foldedinto an improved disposable slipper of the step-in type and comprising asole member having a front toe outline and rear heel outline andtherebetween an instep section having laterally extending strapsprovided with means at their outer edges for lacing said strapstogether,

said blank along the inner sides of the sole instep section havingelongated slits severing the material of the blank intermediate frontand rear portions joining said straps to the section and providing apair of hinge areas for folding the straps and adjustably lacing theouter edges thereof in arched overlying relation to either surface ofsaid instep section of the sole,

said toe and heel outlines defining at opposite surfaces of the blank aslightly angled relationship generally conforming to the normalcurvature of both a right and left foot respectively. 2. The blank ofclaim 1, in which, said elongated slits are arcuately cut, the forwardends thereof lying rearwardly and in adjacent laterally inward relationwith respect to lines projecting a continuation of the sides of said toeportion.

3. The blank of claim 2 in which,

said lacing means includes a series of openings at the outer edges ofthe straps, and a pair of openings is provided in said toe portionspaced forwardly adja- 6 cent said sole instep section for looping thecenter against a wearers toes. of a shoe lace engaging said strap edgeopenings, 4. The blank of claim 3, in which, thereby providing meansengageable between a said blank is formed of an extruded sheet ofpolyethwearers toes as thong elements and adjustable for ylene foammaterial.

drawing said toe portion of the sole upwardly 5

1. A flat blank of highly tear-resistant sheet material to be foldedinto an improved disposable slipper of the step-in type and comprising asole member having a front toe outline and rear heel outline andtherebetween an instep section having laterally extending strapsprovided with means at their outer edges for lacing said strapstogether, said blank along the inner sides of the sole instep sectionhaving elongated slits severing the material of the blank intermediatefront and rear portions joining said straps to the section and providinga pair of hinge areas for folding the straps and adjustably lacing theouter edges thereof in arched overlying relation to either surface ofsaid instep section of the sole, said toe and heel outlines defining atopposite surfaces of the blank a slightly angled relationship generallyconforming to the normal curvature of both a right and left footrespectively.
 2. The blank of claim 1, in which, said elongated slitsare arcuately cut, the forward ends thereof lying rearwardly and inadjacent laterally inward relation with respect to lines projecting acontinuation of the sides of said toe portion.
 3. The blank of claim 2in which, said lacing means includes a series of openings at the outeredges of the straps, and a pair of openings is provided in said toeportion spaced forwardly adjacent said sole instep section for loopingthe center of a shoe lace engaging said strap edge openings, therebyproviding means engageable between a wearer''s toes as thong elementsand adjustable for drawing said toe portion of the sole upwardly againsta wearer''s toes.
 4. The blank of claim 3, in which, said blank isformed of an extruded sheet of polyethylene foam material.